Border bust-up

By Lia Bichel
BERWICK Village residents fear that a Casey council decision could rip apart their tight-knit community and destroy part of its history.
They told a Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) review of ward boundaries that they were happy with the current representation from councillors.
The Monday night meeting in Casey council chambers also heard that an integral part of Berwick’s history would be lost.
The VEC last month released a preliminary report outlining four options for the restructure of Casey’s wards.
As its preferred option, the VEC recommended that the council be represented by 12 councillors elected from four three-councillor wards.
Under the option Edrington and Mayfield wards would be disbanded.
Three alternative options were also available for public submission.
Casey councillors voted five to four to make a submission to the VEC for Option A, with two councillors absent from the meeting.
There were 36 submissions made by 1 March, and nine of the people who made their own submission spoke at the public hearing.
They all strongly opposed councillors’ choice.
Ruth Crofts, president of the Casey-Cardinia Branch of the National Trust and an active member of several community groups, said the preferred option was unacceptable.
“Option A may seem like the easy option, but it doesn’t take into consideration the community’s needs or aspirations,” Ms Crofts said.
“It is not sensible to divide an already united community. This division would be absolutely diabolical.”
Ms Crofts said by ridding the municipality of the Edrington Ward, a rich part of Berwick’s history would be lost.
Edrington Ward was named after the homestead of Lord Casey, the namesake of the municipality.
Annette Aldersea, president of the Residents Ratepayers and Friends of Berwick Village, spoke on behalf of about 100 members of the group.
“We believe it is impractical and unworkable for Berwick (to choose Option A).
“All of the people agree to Option B, it is the most equitable for all wards with minimum disruption,” Ms Aldersea said.
She said Casey councillors who voted for Option A wanted to represent the area.
“I think many councillors would like to have a part of Berwick in their ward and I think that’s why they voted the way they did,” Ms Aldersea said.
“Berwick has been a close-knit community for almost 160 years.
“It is the most picturesque part of Casey. Only a true Berwick local would understand our sentiment.
“We need local community representatives who understand the needs of our strip shopping area. If we have to deal with six councillors who don’t always agree it could be an absolute nightmare.”
Edrington Ward councillor Judy Owen agreed.
She said if there were 12 councillors, with six representing the Berwick area, it would take longer for issues to be dealt with.
Her fellow ward councillor Simon Curtis also opposed Option A and feared if there were 12 councillors, the mayor could have too much power with a deciding vote.
“Local council is the closest government to people.
“I think it is important we work as a team and there is no way that would happen under the preferred option,” Cr Curtis said.
“I think if there were three councillors in a ward we could end up having two councillors working against the other.
“I also believe having 12 councillors, with a mayor having a casting vote (if the councillors were divided), is quite dangerous.”
Cr Kevin Bradford and former City of Casey mayor Colin Butler also spoke about the impacts Option A would have on the Balla Balla Ward.
They said coastal villages could be underrepresented if there were three councillors in Balla Balla Ward.
“I would be worried that there would be three councillors in the Balla Balla Ward who are from Cranbourne area, which would mean no representation from the coastal villages,” Cr Bradford said.
Mr Butler said coastal villages had very different needs than the Cranbourne area which had to be accurately represented.
“People in Cranbourne don’t care about the coastal area because they have completely different needs,” Mr Butler said.
The VEC will release its final report containing its recommendation to the Minister for Local Government on Wednesday 28 March.